Sri
Azhagiya Singar Nachiyar thirukkola purappaadu 2026
(voice
of child prodigy Master Suriyanara)
Sri
Azhagiya Singar Nachiyar thirukkola purappaadu 2026
(voice
of child prodigy Master Suriyanara)
Sri Azhagiya Singar
Garuda sevai 2026. Chittoor Devarajulu & co innisai
: https://youtu.be/QwtubtjTGbY
Of the
many musical instruments - Flute is divine. The greatest of all musicians is of course the
divine Flautist Lord Krishna – who mesmerized everyone as He grew up in Gokul.
At
Thiruvallikkeni – Sri Thelliya Singan as the divine flautist – Pathi ula to
Punnai kilai vahanam this evening [25.6.2026] Aani Brahmothsavam 2026
லம்போ3த3ர லகுமிகர ! அம்பா3ஸுத அமரவிநுத
Lambodara
lakumikara; ambaa suta amara vinuta
lambodara
lakumikara
Those who lived in Triplicane half-century will know the names of Saraswathi Gana Nilayam, Smt GP Kamala, Smt. Chandra teacher and more .. .. young girl children would be sent to them for learning Carnatic music and one would hear, singing in various voices – lambo dara …. Laku mi … !!. This famous song of Purandara Dasaru, perhaps was the first song for aspiring musicians to learn singing .. ..
Before you read further – can you associate ‘Bellows’ – primarily a device to expel a controlled blast of air to Carnatic music !!
The first fatlering step is to sing in unison with the shruti, beginning with Sa-Pa-Sa (the tonic and the fifth). This simple exercise helps voice lock into the pitch of the drone. A good way to check aspirant Singer’s accuracy is to sustain the “Sa” for as long as possible and listen carefully. If voice wavers or feels unstable, try making small, controlled adjustments. Over time, this will improve your sruti shuddham (pitch purity).
In every Music class, the teacher would harshly say - “First, align your voice with the shruti.” What would that really mean? That is better tried with a Shruti Box. For many beginners, singing with a shruti box feels confusing at first !! A shruti box is more than just background sound; it’s a constant companion that trains your ear, refines your pitch, and strengthens your grasp of ragas. In essence, it is believed that the humm of the “surpeti” helps the performer channel the humm of the universe through them.
A shruti box (sruti box, shrutibox, srutibox or surpeti) is a musical instrument, originating from the Indian subcontinent, that traditionally works on a system of bellows. It is similar to a harmonium and is used to provide a drone in a practice session or concert of Indian classical music. It is used as an accompaniment to other instruments. In classical singing, the shruti box is used to help tune the voice. The use of the shruti box has widened with the cross-cultural influences of world music and new-age music to provide a drone for many other instruments as well as vocalists and mantra singing.
Adjustable buttons allow tuning. Nowadays, electronic shruti boxes are commonly used, which are called shruthi pettige in Kannada, shruti petti in Tamil, Malayalam, and Telugu, and sur peti in Hindi
Understand that in Carnatic vocal music, there is no universal
pitch—each singer has a natural sruti that complements their voice, and half
the journey is finding it. Before the
arrival of the harmonium in the Indian subcontinent, musicians used either a
tambura or a specific pitch reference instrument, such as the nadaswaram, to
produce the drone. Now there are two
main types of shruti boxes:
• Manual (Reed-Based) Shruti Box: These work like a
harmonium, producing a warm, organic sound through air reeds. While
traditionalists prefer them, they require more effort to tune and maintain.
• Electronic Shruti Box or Shruti Apps: Most modern vocalists use electronic shruti boxes or mobile apps. These provide precise pitch control, allow multiple drone settings (Sa-Pa, Sa-Ma), and are easier to carry around.
Bellows are a device
constructed to expel a controlled blast of air. The simplest type consists of a
flexible bag comprising a pair of rigid boards with handles joined by flexible
leather sides enclosing an approximately airtight cavity which can be expanded
and contracted by operating the handles, and fitted with a valve allowing air
to fill the cavity when expanded, and with a tube through which the air is
forced out in a stream when the cavity is compressed. It has many applications, in particular
blowing on a fire to supply it with air.
Sure have
heard this song from Salangai Oli set to the tune of Isaignani Ilayaraja
தகிடததிமி தகிடததிமி தம்தானா…
இதய ஒலியின் ஜதியில் எனது தில்லானா…
சுருதியும் லயமும் ஒன்று சேர…
In Indian classical and
Carnatic music, Sruti (pitch) and Laya (rhythm) are the two foundational
pillars. Sruti refers to the exact,
fundamental musical pitch or microtone. It is the smallest interval of sound
that the human ear can differentiate and a singer or instrument can produce. It is traditionally maintained in the
background using a drone instrument, such as a Tanpura or an electronic Sruti Box. Laya is the rhythm, tempo, or pulse of the
music. It is kept steady by counting,
tapping the hand, or keeping time on a percussion instrument like the Mridangam
or Tabla.
This Shruti petti
attracted me yesterday and here is a short video: https://youtu.be/yVlLYdDwl0w
of Nadaswaram vidwan performing and
carrying a Shruti box along at the time of Thiruvanthikappu at Sri
Parthasarathi Swami thirukkovil – Vaikasi Ekadasi purappadu on 27.5.2026
Sree
Parthasarathi vidaayaarri day 6 - Smt. Vishaka Hari
- made
everyone sing with her.
Making
minds happy with Govindha govindha nama sankeerthanam
: https://youtu.be/zN3doBl8_EY
After the grand
Chithirai Brahmothsavam, it is 7 days of rest
called ‘Vidayarri’ at Thiruvallikkeni divyadesam. It is
music time - vidayarri (period of rest) for Sri
Parthasarathi Perumal. Music kutchery by renowned people have been
arranged, coordinated by Sri Parthasarathi Swami sabha.
On day 4 of
Vidaayarri (14.5.2026) is was amazing rendition by Ms A
Kanyakumari.
Avasarala Kanyakumari is
a very famous Violinist. She is
acclaimed to be playing
vocal-style phrasing and experimentation. Hailing from Vizianagaram, Andhra, she has
been living in Chennai for decades. She was mentioned in the congressional record
of the US in 2021, for offering free
Carnatic violin instruction and acknowledging the influence of her teachers. She is the first female violinist to create
ragas
A Kanyakumari was awarded
the Sangeetha Kalanidhi award of the Madras Music Academy in 2016 becoming the first female violinist to
get the award. Her awards include – Padma Shri, Kalaimamani, Ugadi Puraskar
from Govt of AP, Honorary citizenship of
the state of Maryland, U.S; Asthana Vidhwan of TTD on honorarium for the period
of five years; Asthana Vidushi of
Sringeri Sarada Peetam, Ahobila Mutt and Avadhoota Peetam and many many more.
It was indeed a very
divine performance enthralling the audience – her commitment and dedication to
her performance and the way she treats her instrument Violin with divinity –
are all seen to be believed and are worthy of emulation.
Regards – S Sampathkumar
15.5.2026
After the grand Chithirai Brahmothsavam, it is 7 days of rest called ‘Vidayarri’ at Thiruvallikkeni divyadesam. It is music time - vidayarri (period of rest) for Sri Parthasarathi Perumal. Music kutchery by renowned people have been arranged, coordinated by Sri Parthasarathi Swami sabha. On day 3 of Vidaayarri today (13.5.20263) is was grand performance by Trichur Brothers.
திருவல்லிக்கேணியில் பிரம்மோத்சவம் கண்டு அருளிய எம்பெருமான் 'விடாயாற்றி' என இளைப்பாறுகிறார். இவ்வமயத்தில் இசைக்கச்சேரிகளும் திருக்கோவிலில் நடைபெறுகின்றன. விடையாற்றி என்று பரவலாக சொல்லப்பட்டாலும் அது "விடாயாற்றி" - ஆற்று-.1. Rest, repose, as relief from weariness; இளைப்பாறல். 2. That which affords rest or relief; இளைப்பாற்றுவது. 3. Festivities within the temple following the main festival, பெரியதிருவிழாவை அடுத்து சுவாமிக்கு இளைப்பாறலாகக் கோயிலுக்குள் நடைபெறும் உற்சவம். 'விடாய்' என்றால் தாகம்/களைப்பு, 'ஆற்றி' என்றால் ஆற்றுப்படுத்துதல் (அ) களைப்பைப் போக்குதல்.
The performers of the day Trichur Brothers, Srikrishna Mohan and Ramkumar Mohan
are renowned Carnatic Musicians. Sons of veteran Mridangam Vidwan Shri Trichur
R Mohan, the brothers were exposed to Carnatic Music from a very tender
age. They trained under the late Neyyantikara
Mohanchandran for 10 years. They were titled "Trichur
Brothers" by HH
Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Kanchi, Shri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal.
The duos hail from a traditional business family in Trichur known as the "SitaRam Group". The brothers along with their family are currently settled in Chennai. The duos are known for their uncompromising attitude towards Bhavam (Bhakthi, or Spiritual quotient) and Pataanthara (Orthodoxy with respect to the composers and their compositions). They also adopt a unique style of Raga delineation where both of them exchange phrases, long and short, in exploring the nuances of a Raga (Musical Scale).
Both are qualified Chartered Accountants. The CA professionals also have a band called ‘Anubhoothi’ which performs from Carnatic to rock and jazz. They were further famous through the anthem for the Clean Ganga campaign ‘Namami Gange’ which garnered them national attention. Here is a short video taken during their performance : https://youtu.be/Xe3fUwTROQk
Imp
pre-script : How many Gold coins do you
have ?
Those who were extremely good in studies might have got Gold medals,
rest bought them in 1G, 2G and … … dreamt of buying a Kilo of Gold. The Indian love story for the ‘yellow
metal’.....has no 7 year itch !! .. it is Rs.14010/- for 1 gm of 22 ct gold. Though I
am a strong advocate of buying Gold in e-form, the yellow metal does offer a
personal satisfaction to hold and have in solid form. From the days of Emperors and Kings, gold is
seen as a physical asset with finite supply undiminished in value. From the
naturally found nuggets, gold is minted in the forms of bars and coins. The largest gold coin ever minted was a $1m Canadian Maple Leaf - is 52cm in
diameter.
Not exactly a post on buying Gold, but on gold
coins found elsewhere !!!!
We go
to Temples, worship Emperuman, forget our worries and are blissfully
happy… .. in the midst of festivity in any Temple, there is something
unmistakably heard .. .. .. that makes you happy ! - the sound of music –
not only that of Temple bells – more of Mangala Isai – Nadaswaram & Thavil.
In South Indian Culture
and in Carnatic music, Nadaswaram plays a very prominent role.
The wind instrument is a mangala
isai karuvi (auspicious one) and is
played in all religious functions, marriages and all good events. The Mangala vadhyam is usually played in
pairs, accompanied by thavil. Some of
the famous vidwans would include :
Thiruvavadudurai Rajaratnam Pillai , Dr. Thiruvengadu Subramania Pillai,
Thiruvizha Jaisankar, MPM Sethuraman & Ponnusamy, Sembanar koil
brothers, Namagiripettai Krishnan,
Karukurichi Arunachalam, Sheik Chinna Moulana, and many more……….. there are so many vidwans in
Mylapore, Thiruvallikkeni .. .. and we are spell-bound by their music.
Yesterday it was enthralling
Nadaswaram music played by MKSN Manikandan and Chittoor Devarajulu.
ஆச்சாமரத்தில்தான்
நாதஸ்வரம் உருவாக்கப்படுகிறதாம். கீழே மரத்தால் நீண்டு காணப்படும்
வடிவத்திற்கு “அணசு” என்று பெயர். இது ரோஸ்வுட் அல்லது வாகை மரத்தில் செய்யப்படுகிறது.
“சீவாளி” என்ற நாணத்தட்டையால் செய்யப்பட்டதைப் பொருத்தி வாயால் ஊதி இதை
இசைக்கிறார்கள். திருவாவடுதுறை, திருவாலங்காடு போன்ற இடங்களில்
நாணத்தட்டை பயிரிடப்பட்டு அதைப் பக்குவம்செய்து ஸ்ருதி எத்தனை கட்டையோ அதற்கு ஏற்றாற்போல்
சீவாளி செய்யும் வல்லுனர்கள் உள்ளார்கள்.
Nagasawaram-thavil music
is so inseparably woven into the fabric of temple ritual that one is synonymous
with the other. Mallari is played by nagaswaram artists, with
thavil accompaniment, when the processional deity (utsava murthi) sets out (for
thiruveethi purappadu) from the gopura vaasal.
At Thiruvallikkeni
divyadesam, during Chithirai Brahmothsavam of Sri Parthasarathi Peruma, every
day during Pathi ula, Nagaswara vidwans from various places come and
perform. On Theerthavari day it was special - Vidwan MKSN Manikandan and
Chittoor Devarajulu and their troup
The man of this post MKSN Manikandan is son of a prominent Nadaswaram vidwan Mambalam Sri MKS Natarajan and has an impressive history of few decades performing in Temples and other religious occasions. Their family has released numerous musical albums.
Devotees at Triplicane
were treated with a grand musical performance yesterday during Pathi Ula. Likely you would have noticed the ‘Golden
Nadaswaram’ and few more gold coins adorning the Nadaswaram of Sri Manikandan
as medals - they include - Hearteen shape one presented by Sundaram
Pillai Deyvendiran; SA Rajalingam … .. .. and… .. and one presented by our
beloved Ex-CM Puratchi Thalaivar MGR.
The music was enthralling
and kept us spell bound – thanks and special appreciations to Sri MKSN
Manikandan & Chittoor Devarajulu.
ஸ்ரீ பார்த்தசாரதி பெருமாள் பத்தி உலா - day 6 நாதஸ்வர இசை
Kshirasāgara sayanā - Dévagāndhāri - Adi - Sadguru
Tyāgarājār keerthanai
Vada Iluppai Anandan &
Tambaram Kutti Nadaswara isai
: https://youtu.be/rmmqBMOS9fE
குழலூதி மனமெல்லாம் கொள்ளை கொண்டபின்,
குறையேதும் எனக்கேதடீ
ஊத்துக்காடு வெங்கட சுப்பையர் இயற்றிய
புகழ்பெற்ற காம்போஜி ராகப் பாடல்
Thiruvallikkeni Sri
Parthasarathi Pathi Ula day 1: https://youtu.be/S0Yz1Vn67bk
The divine flautist –
Bhagwan Sree Krishna .. .. ..
மனித மனதை ஆற்றுப்படுத்தும்
கலைகளில் முக்கியமானது, இசை. இயன்ற போதெல்லாம்
வரம்பின்றி கேட்டு ரசிக்கலாம். இசைக்கு இன்றியமையாதவை கருவிகள். மயங்க வைக்கும் காற்றிசைக்
கருவிகளில் ஒன்று புல்லாங்குழல். காற்று இசைக்கருவி வகையைச் சேர்ந்தது புல்லாங்குழல். துளை வழியே
காற்றை ஊதி இசையை உருவாக்குவதால், துளைக்கருவி எனவும் அழைப்பர். ஸ்வரங்களை அடிப்படையாக
கொண்ட துளைகளை மூடித் திறக்கும் திறனுக்கு ஏற்ப, ஒலிக்கோர்வையை வித்தியாசமாக உருவாக்கலாம்.
இந்தியாவில், இரண்டு வகை புல்லாங்குழல்கள் உள்ளன. பன்சூரி என்ற வகையில்,
காற்று ஊதும் முத்திரை துளை ஒன்றும், ஸ்வரங்களுக்காக விரல் துளைகள் ஆறும் இருக்கும்.
இது, இந்துஸ்தானி இசையில் அதிகம் பயன்படுகிறது. மற்றொருவகை வேணு இவை தென்னிந்திய கர்நாடக
இசையில் பயன்படுத்தப்படுகின்றன. புல் இன தாவரமான மூங்கில் மரத்தில் செய்யப்படுவதால், புல்லாங்குழல் என
பெயர் பெற்றது.
Of the many instruments
associated with Carnatic music- Flute is divine. A melodic instrument for the
most part, the flute has a clear and bright sound with a distinctive warmth, refinement,
and subtlety to its tone. .. ..in
Western world there is another close relative – it is not unusual for a
performer who plays the flute to switch to the piccolo, alto flute, or bass
flute.
The greatest of em’ all is of
course the divine Flautist Lord Krishna – who mesmerized everyone as He grew up
in Gokul.
In the opera the Queen of the Night persuades Prince Tamino
to rescue her daughter Pamina from captivity under the high priest Sarastro;
instead, he learns the high ideals of Sarastro's community and seeks to join
it. Separately, then together, Tamino and Pamina undergo severe trials of
initiation, which end in triumph, with the Queen and her cohorts vanquished.
The earthy Papageno, who accompanies Tamino on his quest, fails the trials completely
but is rewarded anyway with the hand of his ideal female companion Papagena.
The Magic Flute is a delightful blend of fantasy and
allegory. Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, its plot revolves around the
quests of Prince Tamino and Papageno, a bird-catcher. They're on a mission to
rescue Princess Pamina from the clutches of the wicked sorcerer, Sarastro. Armed with a magic flute and enchanted bells, they
navigate through obstacles and tests of virtue.
The story explores themes of love, wisdom, and the quest for
enlightenment. Tamino's journey symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness
and reason over irrationality. The opera ends with the triumph of good,
highlighting the masonic ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity. It's a
rich and enchanting tale with layers of meaning and some of Mozart's most
beautiful music!
Mozart! A legendary name, was born January 27, 1756, in
Salzburg, Austria - Wolfgang Amadeus
Mozart was a child prodigy and a prolific composer of the Classical period. He
wrote over 600 works before his untimely death at the age of 35 in Vienna. His
vast repertoire includes symphonies, concertos, chamber music, operas, and
choral music. Many of his compositions, such as "The Magic Flute,"
"The Marriage of Figaro," and "Eine kleine Nachtmusik,"
remain timeless classics. His life was a
whirlwind of incredible talent and relentless hardship.
Mozart's brilliance as a child prodigy often led to immense
pressure. By the time he was just five years old, he was already composing
music, and by six, he was performing for European royalty. While this early fame brought him acclaim, it
also came with high expectations and burdens. He was expected to continually
surpass his own work, which stifled his ability to enjoy a normal childhood. Despite Mozart's immense talent, he faced
significant financial difficulties throughout his life. He often found himself
in precarious financial situations, partly because he valued artistic freedom
over secure, well-paying positions in royal courts. This quest for independence
frequently led to clashes with institutions and left him struggling to make
ends meet. Mozart faced health challenges too. He suffered from various
illnesses throughout his life, which were likely exacerbated by the stress and
pressures he constantly faced. Despite
these obstacles, Mozart's genius shone through.
The Magic Flute (German: Die
Zauberflöte) is an opera in two acts by Wolfgang Amadeus
Mozart to a German libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder. The work is in the form of
a Singspiel, a popular form during the time it was written that included both
singing and spoken dialogue. The work
premiered in Sept 1791 at Schikaneder's theatre, the Freihaus-Theater auf der
Wieden in Vienna, just two months before the composer's death. It was the last
opera that Mozart composed.
Here are
some photos of – Thiruninravur Sri Bakthavatchala Perumal alankaram as
Venugopalan – the divine flautist – on the
morning of day 6 of Brahmothsavam at Thiruninravur today.
adiyen Srinivasa dhasan
Mamandur Veeravalli Srinivasan Sampathkumar
9.4.2026
Srivaishnavaite life is exquisitely woven to Emperumanaar Udayavar Ramanujar. Udayavar uthsavam starts on 13.4.2026 – Sarrumurai is on 22.4.2026
ஸ்ரீ ராமானுஜ ஜயந்தியை மிகவும் விமரிசையாகவும் கோலாகலமாகவும் கொண்டாடுவோம்! எம்பெருமானார் திருவடிகளே சரணம்!
"ராமானுஜனே தெய்வம்" எனப் போற்றும் இந்த பாடல் ஸ்ரீ
உ.வே.தனுர்தாஸ ராமானுஜ ஜீயர் ஸ்வாமி அவர்களுக்கு சமர்ப்பணம்.
: https://youtu.be/CogNPdPzfY8
Today is Panguni Swathi (4.4.2026)
Sri Azhagiya Singar thiruvanthikappu – video taken on 15.2.2020
: https://youtube.com/shorts/KtU1XIFdfhc
Kapali, Kabali, Kapalee !!! are not just words ! - they are emotions in Mylapore and today on the occasion of Arubathi Moovar festival as Lord Kapaleeswarar came out – the devotion was simply hysteric.
Among others, was this troupe – SSS Mani thapset, Reddypalayam playing Parai. Do listen to this piece – it was loud, commanded attention, it was visceral, something felt in the chest raw.
As one could observe, especially towards the end, the propulsive tempo was building up to a syncopated brilliance. It was unnerving as raw energy, displaying the intense energy levels of the players and was something out of the World.
Exceptional
performance indeed !! Hats off to the troup. :
கபாலீஸ்வரர் திருவிழா - ஒரு
மெய்சிலிர்க்க வைக்கும் அனுபவம்
"கபாலி, கபாலி,
கபாலீ!!!" - இவை வெறும் வார்த்தைகள்
அல்ல! மயிலாப்பூரின் ஆழமான உணர்வுகள். இன்று அறுபத்து மூவர் திருவிழாவை முன்னிட்டு,
இறைவன் கபாலீஸ்வரர் வீதி உலா வந்த போது, பக்தர்களின் பக்தி பரவசம் உச்சக்கட்டத்தை எட்டியது.
இந்தக் கூட்டத்தில், ரெட்டிப்பாளையம் 'SSS மணி தப்செட்' குழுவினரின்
பறை இசை அனைவரையும் கட்டிப்போட்டது. இந்த இசையைக் கேட்டுப் பாருங்கள் - இது
வெறும் சத்தம் அல்ல, நம் கவனத்தை முழுமையாக ஈர்க்கும் ஒரு கம்பீரம். அந்த அதிர்வு நம்
நெஞ்சுக்குள் இறங்கி, ஒரு மூல உணர்வைத் (visceral) தூண்டக்கூடியது.
வீடியோவின் இறுதியை கவனித்தால், அந்த இசை வேகம் அதிகரித்து, ஒரு நேர்த்தியான
தாள லயத்துடன் (syncopated brilliance) முடிவதைக் காணலாம். அந்த வீரமான இசை மற்றும்
கலைஞர்களின் அபாரமான ஆற்றல் நம்மை ஒரு திகைக்க
வைக்கிறது; அது உண்மையிலேயே இந்த உலகத்தையே மறக்கச் செய்யும் ஒரு அனுபவம்.
நிச்சயமாக இது ஒரு சிறப்பான படைப்பு!! அந்த இசைக்குழுவினருக்கு எனது
மனமார்ந்த பாராட்டுகள்.
S Sampathkumar
30.3.2026
Thirumylai Sri Kapalee - Arubathu moovar (63 nayanmar ) vaibhavam:
Engagement - kainkaryam starts early in Divyadesams esp
Thiruvalliukkeni - this kid was
unmindful of surroundings – did not even look at this cameraman !! [pic
taken a few years ago !]
Thirumanjana kudam - @ Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swami thirukkovil,
Cholasimhapuram [Sholinghur] in the town at the foothill 14.3.2026
திருமஞ்சன குடம்
~ திருக்கடிகை எனும் சோளிங்கபுரம்
வெற்றிவேல்
! வீரவேல் !!!
மாசிமகம்
2026 - திருவேட்டீஸ்வரன்பேட் சிவனடியார்கள் - சிவப்ரகாஷ் குழு
தேர் மல்லாரி... ஸ்ரீபார்த்தசாரதி பெருமாள்
சிறிய திருத்தேருக்கு (வெட்டிவேர் சப்பரம்) எழுந்து
அருளல்
A small clip.
- Feb2021: https://youtube.com/shorts/g21iqm352GI